American University Department of Performing Arts

American University's Theatre and Musical Theatre Programs will provide you with the necessary education to enable you to perform in, design, manage, or direct a production and succeed in a variety of professions outside the theatre. Both programs are grounded in a strong liberal arts tradition. The Theatre major features specialized tracks in Performance, Design and Technical Theatre, or Arts Management. Theatre majors may also opt to honor the liberal arts tradition by choosing the broadly focused and interdisciplinary Theatre Arts track. The Musical Theatre major builds upon the same liberal arts foundation of the theatre major by combining it with serious training in acting, voice, and dance. Regardless of major or track, all students are encouraged to develop their critical thinking skills and intellectual curiosity. The theatre and music theatre faculty offer students the benefit of their academic training as well as their expertise as seasoned scholars, performers, writers, directors, designers, and choreographers. They are dedicated and committed to their profession and as professionals are able to bring some of the "real world" into the classroom. In the past, theatre students have had the opportunity to work closely with and observe internationally recognized artists in core classes, electives, productions, and extra-curricular seminars and workshops. Some of our distinguished guests and teaching artists include: Broadway composer Dick Scanlon, LA Writer/Producer and Emmy winner Gary Dontzig, Broadway Director Scott Ellis, Signature Theatre's Michael Baron, Fords' Theatre's Mark Ramont, Synetic Theatre's Paata Tsikurishvili, Broadway designer James Kronzer, and Hollywood actor Herb Edelman.